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| February 12, 2010 | Security tightened for Maha Shivratri in Haridwar | |
Haridwar:Security has been tightened here for the first day of the Shahi Snan on Friday, as thousands of devotees are expected to take a dip in the River Ganges to mark the festival of Maha Shivratri. Around 10,000 security personnel have
been deployed in the city including central paramilitary forces to thwart any
kind of untoward incident when devotees, including ash-covered Naga sadhus take
bath. Haridwar Director General of Police (DIG) Alok Sharma said, "For the Shahi
Snan security, we have deployed around 10,000 police officials who will work in
two shifts. At one point of time, around 5,000 to 6,000 police officials will
be on guard." The general public took the holy bath from midnight, while the 13
akharas (sects of holy men) took the bath at 11 am today. Har Ki Pauri will be
shut for the general public from 11am to 6pm, when holy men of various sects will
take a dip in the holy Ganges. Heavy security arrangements have been made at Har
ki Pauri, with snipers, police in riot gear and plain clothes keeping a close
watch to help prevent potential attacks, stampedes and petty crimes. DIG Sharma
further said, "We have upgraded the security, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
In terms of quality, we have told our forces to look out for any suspicious person,
who might want to do any harm and we must stop him from doing that. We have to
be mentally alert." "If there are 10,000 personnel, then there are 20,000 pairs
of eyes and we will be on guard at Hari Ki Pauri and nearby areas. There is another
team which will continuously monitor the unattended items," added Sharma. The
next two Shahi Snans will take place on March 15 and April 14 respectively, on
the occasions of Somawati Amavasya (new moon night) and Baisakhi (a harvest festival).
Maha Shivaratri is a festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day
in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha or Phalguna in the
Hindu calendar. The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael (Bilva)
leaves to Lord Shiva , all day fasting and an all night long vigil. Ganga is traditionally
used as an offering for Lord Shiva and his followers. |
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